Making a superb gourmet coffee all starts with beans. Gourmet coffee beans are mostly Arabica because of their supreme robust flavor and smooth texture. Arabica beans are considered the premium bean in the coffee industry and the demand is high which makes it much pricier than other beans. Arabica coffee beans are the most prominently grown and provide approximately 60% of world coffee production. One reason the beans are so expensive is that the Arabica plant is very sensitive to unfavorable conditions such as frost, pests and disease. What leads people to wait in long, long lines for a cup of gourmet-brewed coffee beverage? Just what are espresso, cappuccino and macchiato?

Espresso coffee is one of the most popular coffee drinks in the world. This type of coffee goes back about 100 years and since its birth people have found that this is a delicious, yet intense way to enjoy the flavor of coffee. Espresso coffee is characteristically thicker in consistency than drip coffee having a higher amount of dissolved solids than drip coffee in the same amount of volume. The serving size is usually measured in shots which are around one fluid once in size. Espresso coffee is much richer and more concentrated than filter coffee and is the base for a cappuccino or latte.

Cappuccino is a delicious, luxurious coffee beverage that is enjoyed by coffee lovers the world over, combining creamy, frothy texture with distinctive espresso flavor and aroma. Cappuccino is named for the resemblance of its color to the robes of the monks of the Capuchin order. Cappuccino is a cup of espresso coffee with fresh milk and milk foam bubbles burst on the top of cup. The milk foam bubbles burst acts as the insulator and keep the heat of the coffee for a longer time.

A Cafe Latte is simply a fancy name for a cup of coffee with milk though. The milk is steamed and that is what gives it such a smooth and creamy taste that people tend to really enjoy. A Latte is the way that most Americans prefer their espresso, and is quite easy to prepare. Start with a single shot of espresso in a 6-8 ounce cup. A latte is as per usual smaller in rate than a cappuccino and has a smaller aerate layer than a cappuccino.

A Mocha or mochaccino is an espresso and steamed milk mixed with chocolate and served with whipped cream on top. Despite being chocolate flavored, these are not terribly sweet. If you don't want to taste the espresso, ask for flavor syrup or sugar to be added, or try one of the other mocha drinks instead.

Cafe Amricano or simply Americano is a style of coffee prepared by adding hot water to espresso, giving a similar strength but different flavor from regular drip coffee. The strength of an Americano varies with the number of shots of espresso and the amount of water added.

Now here is an interesting variation which would probably be more appealing to American consumers; cafe corretto. This is an Italian espresso that is modified by adding grappa, an Italian liqueur or brandy. This results in a coffee beverage that provides a distinctive flavor sweetened by the addition of the alcohol. When making this beverage, any liqueur can be added to the espresso to modify the taste. This drink is typically served as an after dinner drink. Its main purpose being to aid in digestion of heavy meals.

Knowing how to prepare gourmet coffee drinks is a fine art. A barista is someone who makes espresso drinks for a living, and is usually highly trained and has a thorough understanding of how to work with coffee. Similar to a bartender, a barista specializes in making drinks from almost any incarnation of the coffee bean.

Specialty coffee is a matter of choice, not a beverage of chance. The definition of specialty coffee or gourmet coffee begins at the origin of coffee, the planting of a particular variety into a particular growing region of the world. Specialty coffee is distinguished by quality rather than volume. Therefore, higher grades of coffee have typically been grown on smaller farms using more natural methods of cultivation. Gourmet coffee is a booming business in the U.S. Just looks at the ubiquitous Starbucks, whose net revenues were up 22 percent in 2007 on sales of $7.8 billion. And now it appears that McDonaldss is positioning itself to capture a piece of the specialty coffee market on a global scale.

Espresso coffee is all about hot water and coffee beans. But it's the way these two ingredients are put together that spells the success of this drink. Espresso coffee is prepared by a special extraction method which produces a very concentrated, strong coffee in a short amount of time. Softened water at a temperature of 90-95 Degrees C is forced through finely ground and specially roasted coffee at high pressure. Since the hot water is quickly forced through the fine grounds it usually only takes between 25 and 30 seconds to brew a cup of espresso.

CAPPUCCINO is an Italian word that does not translate directly into English. This traditional beverage of Italy is a popular morning beverage made from just two things: espresso coffee and milk steamed into puffy foam. The American version is quite similar, a coffee-based drink prepared with espresso, hot milk and milk foam.

A Cafe Latte is simply a fancy name for a cup of coffee with milk though. The milk is steamed and that is what gives it such a smooth and creamy taste that people tend to really enjoy. A Latte is the way that most Americans prefer their espresso, and is quite easy to prepare. Start with a single shot of espresso in a 6-8 ounce cup. A latte is as per usual smaller in rate than a cappuccino and has a smaller aerate layer than a cappuccino.

A Mochaccino is simply equal parts cappuccino and chocolate syrup. Some of the finer coffee houses prefer the term Cafe Mocha, using a powdered cocoa mixed with diluted cappuccino and topped with a whipped cream dollop. This is a very popular alternative to a traditional hot chocolate drink, neither as thick nor as sweet.

A Cafe Americano, similar to a long black common in Australia, is a style of coffee made by pulling a double-shot of espresso over hot water . A long black is similar to an which is made by adding hot water to espresso shots, but it retains the texture and is less voluminous, therefore more strongly flavored.

Now here is an interesting variation which would probably be more appealing to American consumers; cafe corretto. This is an Italian espresso that is modified by adding grappa, an Italian liqueur or brandy. This results in a coffee beverage that provides a distinctive flavor sweetened by the addition of the alcohol. When making this beverage, any liqueur can be added to the espresso to modify the taste. This drink is typically served as an after dinner drink. Its main purpose being to aid in digestion of heavy meals.

Knowing how to prepare gourmet coffee drinks is a fine art. A barista is someone who makes espresso drinks for a living, and is usually highly trained and has a thorough understanding of how to work with coffee. Similar to a bartender, a barista specializes in making drinks from almost any incarnation of the coffee bean.

It can be said that coffee definitely hits the spot. In fact coffee hits a lot of spots! People all over the world enjoy a daily cup of coffee. Japan, for example, ranks number 3 in the world for coffee consumption. There are over 10,000 coffee shops and kiosks to cater to the needs of Tokyo alone. The Japanese even use coffee to get rid of spots! For reducing wrinkles and improving their skin, the Japanese have been known to bathe in coffee grounds fermented with pineapple pulp.

No matter how you like your java, be it rich, dark espresso, a frothy cappuccino or latte, iced or hot; you will find plenty to tempt your taste buds when it comes to coffee selections. In fact, specialty coffee sales are increasing by 20% per year and account for almost 8% of the 18 billion dollar U.S. coffee market. Statistics show that among coffee drinkers, the average consumption in the US is around 3 cups of coffee per day. Also, studies find that over 50% of the population, equivalent to approximately 150 million Americans, drink espresso, cappuccino, latte, or iced coffees.

There are currently around 35,000 coffee shops around the United States, with an average $30 billion a year in sales. Based on market research, there will be approximately 42,000 or more independently owned coffee shops in the US by the year 2011. An enterprising business person should look at the gourmet coffee business as a golden opportunity.

Gourmet coffees, also known as premium or specialty coffees carry an impressive gross profit margin, compared to regular brewed coffees. For example a frothy espresso based drink may retail in a coffee shop for an average price of $2.95, while the average price for brewed coffee is $1.35. Your gross profit margin is approximately 75% on each, thus you would make $2.21 on a frothy creation and only $1.02 on a brewed cup. Equipment might run you an additional $5,000; however, if you made an additional $1.33 per drink on 100 drinks per day, that equates to $48,500 per year in extra income.

The United States imports over $5 billion worth of coffee every year. Juan Valdez and his little donkey must be keeping very busy! Americans drink 460 million cups of coffee every day, which makes the United States the leading consumer of coffee in the entire world.

A scientific report from the University of California found that the steam rising from a cup of coffee contains the same amounts of antioxidants as three oranges. The antioxidants are heterocyclic compounds which prevents cancer and heart disease. Guess what! Coffee is good for you!

Approximately 90% of the American adult population drink some type of coffee product every day. Some people drink 2-3 cups or more a day. People who are getting hooked on specialty coffee drinks are rising every year. It is estimated that over 30 million American adults drink specialty coffee beverages daily; such as mocha, latte, espresso, cafe mocha, cappuccino or other frothy varieties either steaming hot or on ice.

Coffee sales are continually rising year after year. And so are the pricing modules! Coffee is the second largest commodity traded, next to oil. If you are looking for a business to get into, coffee is probably the best business for you to consider. Can you think of any other product that has such universal appeal, is easy to get into, and is relatively simple to operate?

This is how I feel about coffee, actually. It may bring about a sense of romance and be a delicious treat, but there are so many names to remember!

For instance, there is the simple yet elegant Frappe consumed largely in Latin America and Europe. This tasty cold espresso is made with two teaspoons of milk and sugar along with crushed ice. For a variation in this recipe, add a quarter cup of crme de cacao and brandy.

The Cappuccino Borgia is the counterpart to the Frappe. This delicious creation consists of one quarter-cup orange (peeled) and one and a half cup of chocolate flavored ice cream. Take espressos to a whole new level by also adding six tablespoons of orange juice and a quarter-cup milk. You may find yourself speaking fifteenth century Italian with that one!

Head back to the twenty-first century Caribbean style with a Calypso Cooler. Add a couple bananas and two cups of coffee-flavored ice cream to a cup of extra strength, chilled coffee to whip up this delicious drink, but add a few tablespoons of rum and you may lose track of your luggage.

While on the subject of adding alcohol to coffee, we cannot forget about the Latin drink of Caffee Zabaglione which all starts with a quarter cup each of dry Marsala and sugar. Then, add in four egg yolks and a pinch of salt, wish and cook until thick. Include in the mix a cup of Italian roast at room temperature and you have made not only a beverage but also breakfast and a hangover cure.

Traditional Turkish coffee is known for its strong, dark flavor cut with cardamom, but the Scandinavians have also learned to put this ancient spice to use in the specialty drink Cardamom Kaffee. Mix an eighth-cup of cognac with two teaspoons curaco, one teaspoon sugar and a cracked and seeded cardamom pod. Microwave the mixture for approximately ten seconds, light with a match and pour on about a half-cup of extra strength coffee for a marvelous coffee treat.

Despite the many names, you must give credit to those inspiring such creativity when it comes to these fascinating coffee mixtures. They may not be inventors of giant atomic bombs, but they have certainly made a mark in the coffee world! So get your coffee grinder and pot and start experimenting.

Caribou Coffee has been ranked first in national taste tests and is the second largest coffee-house company in the world. Those taste tests compared Caribou's coffee favorable to over 40 other brands. Caribou's product must be pretty tasty to rate that highly.

The company was started in Edina, MN, by John and Kim Puckett. The Pucketts then sold the venture to Crescent Capital, an Atlanta, GA, investment firm. From a single store, Caribou has grown to 450 coffee houses nationwide.

Coffee beans and ready-made coffee, both hot and cold, are available at those stores, along with gourmet products like lattes, smoothies, loose-leaf tea and blended drinks. The friendly Caribou staff is happy to make your brew your way. Show your java preference by picking up Caribou Coffee clothing and accessories, such as tote bags and key rings. Of course, the coffee houses also have tasty treats to go with your java. It's a great place to stop for your morning "starter fluid" or a mid-day pick-me-up. Bring your friends to a great place to socialize.

If you have a loved one who's a coffee addict, show your style by giving a gift of Caribou Coffee. They'll admire your good taste and enjoy your gift. With luck, they'll share it with you. Buy your own too, so you have it on hand when you can't get to the coffee house itself. It's also nice to have a supply on hand when you have surprise guests over.

Going green is big business these days and Caribou has been doing its share to protect the environment. Caribou is working the Rainforest Alliance to produce an environment-friendly coffee. That effort has not always gotten the most favorable press but the company is determined to be environmentally aware in its business dealings. The company was also the first volunteer sponsor of the Specialty Coffee Association of America's Producer Support Fund to help other members who cannot afford to take part in association activities.

All this success has not come without controversy. In the days immediately after September 11, 2001, some people protested against the company because one of its largest stockholders was the First Islamic Investment Bank of Bahrain, whose chairman was Sheik Yusuf al-Qaradawi. Later in the year, al-Qaradawi stepped down from the post.

Now that the controversy has died down, the company can concentrate what it does best - making great coffee. There's a reason that Starbucks is rated second to Caribou. Why not stop in and find out what that reason is? Look in your phone book or online to find the nearest Caribou Coffee outlet and grab a cuppa today.

Let us start with the Frappe. However, be careful because the 'e' here is silent. This is a common beverage throughout Europe as well as Latin America. It is cold espresso with a small amount of sugar and milk and then it is blended with ice. However, flavors can be added like brandy or crme de cacao. It is served with a straw, which can be frustrating for those around who have to hear the noise for the slurping.

Then there is Cappuccino Borgia. This is named oddly after a famous poisoner. It is a quarter cup of peeled orange with a half cup of ice cream, chocolate of course. Further to this, the orange juice and quarter cup of milk, blended with espresso make this a perfect Italian tradition.

Coming back to the 21st century, there is what is known as the Calypso Cooler. This Caribbean drink is chilled coffee, super strong, with ripe bananas and two cups of ice cream, coffee flavored. Then there are several tablespoons of rum added. You are most definitely sure to lose your luggage with this drink in hand.

Staying on the topic of alcohol and coffee it is essential to not forget the marvelous specialty coffee: Caffee Zabaglone. This is dry Marsala with quite a bit of sugar. Then added is a dash of salt and four egg yolks. It is wisked together and cooked until thick. Then Italian roast is added when it is at room temperature. This drink is perfect for breakfast and to cure that hangover from the night before. Two benefits in one drink.

Modern New Orleans in France is known for its double strength American roast coffee. It is then mixed with heavy cream, egg nog, and bourbon. This is known as a Mardi Gras. Although the 's' is silent, the crowd most definitely is not.

Turkish coffee is strong and dark but then added to it is cardamom. However, it is not alone. The Scandinavians also have Cardamom Kaffee. This is prepared with cognac and curacao with sugar and cardamom. It should be heated in the microwave and then ignited with a match. This can be enjoyed with about a half cup of really strong coffee. No matter what the recipe, they are all known to give you a kick.